Plants Can Increase Resistance to Aids

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS as it is commonly known is one of the deadliest diseases known to man. This disease attacks people who have been infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and more often than not results in death. Till date, there is no known cure for AIDS.

A tremendous amount of funds and manpower are being put into researching a cure for AIDS all over the world. A ray of hope lies in the discovery of several plants that have the property of inducing immunostimulation.

These plants are essentially thought to stimulate the immune system and thus help in preventing the onset of this disease in people who are HIV positive. The World Health Organization has listed a number of plants which are being tested for their possible use as an AIDS vaccine.

In India most of the research work is being carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The council has identified seven plants indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that are to be subject to tests to determine their usefulness in treating this dreaded disease. These plants are Holi basil (Ocirnurn sanctum), Winter cherry (Withania somnifera), Spreading hog weed (Boerhaavia diffusa), Giloya (Tinospora cordifolia), Satavari (Asparagus racernosus), Nirbrahmi (Bacopa rnonniera), and Brahmi (Centella asiatica).

Japan is also carrying out various tests using the indigenous Japanese plants Sho-saiko-to (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and Lentirus edobes. China and the United States are both carrying out tests on the Chinese cucumber (Trocosanthes kirilowii) and have succeeded in isolating a compound known as tricosanthin which may prove useful in the treatment of AIDS. Other plants that are also being researched as possible cures for AIDS are the Diospyros usambarensis of East Africa and the Glycyrrihiza uralensis of Tanzania.

Submitted on January 16, 2014